Town Gambling With 'Our Lives:' Southington FD To Council

SOUTHINGTON, CT — The ongoing contract dispute between the town and the Southington Fire Department over staffing levels boiled over Monday night at a jam-packed Southington Town Council meeting.

There, union members of Southington and several other municipal departments crowded into the the John Weichsel Municipal Center's meeting room. Their message was clear.

Firefighters want a contract after working without one for more than two-and-a-half years and they want one that includes safe staffing levels, the crux of a dispute that is now in arbitration.

Monday's council meeting did not have the firefighters' situation on the agenda, as the matter is still before arbitration.

But unionized firefighters jammed the meeting, filling up all the seats and the space behind the seating area.

They spoke during the "audience of citizens" portion of the meeting, where residents can comment about any issue in town.

During often emotional testimony, which was followed up by rounds of audience applause, residents — many associated with the fire department — stated their case.

"Our negotiating committee presented fair proposals to the Town of Southington management team, unfortunately leading to an immediate impasse," said Edwin Crandall, president of IAFF Local 2033, representing Southington paid firefighters. Southington has a hybrid fire department of paid and volunteer staff.

"While we value the courtesy of confidentiality when it comes to collective bargaining, the safety of the community and my fellow union members takes precedence," Crandall said.

For months, the town and firefighters union have battled behind closed doors, but in recent weeks, that battle has boiled over into social media. Monday night, it erupted at an open meeting.

According to the union, the primary issue is staffing, which puts both firefighters and the community at risk.

The union is requesting a mandatory on-duty, minimum staffing level of one officer and two firefighters on all apparatus at all times.

But if a firefighter is sick or on leave/vacation, the town allows for that ratio to be one officer and one firefighter, which union officials have said was a "cost-saving measure" on the part of the town.

Crandall referenced that situation Monday night.

"Why does the town continue to gamble with our lives?" he said. "Is this truly about $266,129 in overtime savings in a town that is reporting they're $2.2 million ahead in revenue mid-budget year?"

The union is asking the new contract to mandate the one-and-two ratio at all times, including when some firefighters are not available.

Crandall said the union isn't asking for more firefighters to be hired. Rather, he said, they just want budgetary guarantees of adequate staffing.

Others testifying agreed.

Southington resident Sean Hines said the town is growing, especially as more housing proposals are arriving in town. And that, he said, could place strain on the fire department.

"I'm very happy that the town of Southington is this focused on growth, however, I am a little concerned," he said. "I am concerned that with more residents, the fire department is going to have to do a lot more with a lot less. And I don't think that's fair."

Southington Town Council Chairman Paul Chaplinsky Jr. has said the GOP-led council does support the SFD.

But, he has admitted, town officials and the firefighters union are so far apart on any contract proposal, an arbitrator is necessary.

Chaplinsky said in a statement earlier this month local officials have always backed the SFD.

He pointed out the town has hired five new firefighters; upgraded SFD facilities; purchased three new fire trucks; and purchased a new ladder truck, among other actions.

He reiterated that stand after he closed the public hearing, thanking the crowd for their participation.

"Thank you very much, everybody, for coming out. We appreciate it. We've had a strong relationship with the public safety here in Southington for many, many years," Chaplinsky said.

"We're going to keep that up. We've heard you and we're going to digest that and we appreciate everything that you've come out and told us."

The town is still awaiting an arbitrator's decision on the contract.

From Jan. 17: 'Southington FD Contract Dispute Boils Over To Arbitration'